“The United Arab Emirates has introduced new regulations allowing resident expatriates to apply for foster care, enabling more families to participate in providing temporary care and support for children in need.”
“UAE Opens Foster Care Applications to Resident Expats Under New Guidelines”
The United Arab Emirates has recently taken a groundbreaking step in the area of child welfare by introducing a set of new regulations that allow resident expatriates to apply for foster care, a move that significantly broadens the pool of eligible foster families and reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to protecting and supporting children in need. Previously, foster care opportunities were largely restricted to Emirati nationals, with eligibility primarily limited to married couples or single Emirati women under specific conditions. These restrictions meant that the number of qualified families available to provide temporary care for children of unknown parentage was relatively small, often creating challenges in finding suitable placements. The introduction of these new rules marks a major shift toward inclusivity, recognizing the potential of long-term residents, who have established roots and connections in the UAE, to contribute meaningfully to the welfare of vulnerable children.
Under the updated framework, resident expatriates who meet the specified requirements can now submit applications to become foster parents. The regulations, formalized under Federal Decree-Law No. 12 of 2025 and published in the Official Gazette, amend provisions of the 2022 law governing the care of children without parental support. These amendments not only expand eligibility but also establish detailed criteria for applicants, specifying the conditions under which individuals or families can qualify for fostering. The law emphasizes the importance of ensuring that every child placed in foster care receives proper supervision, emotional support, and access to educational and developmental opportunities. This systematic approach is intended to guarantee that foster care arrangements are conducted responsibly and in the best interests of the child.
Fostering, as defined by the new regulations, involves providing temporary care for children who are unable to live with their biological parents due to various circumstances, including abandonment, neglect, or the death of parents. The goal of foster care is to offer these children a safe and nurturing environment until a more permanent solution, such as adoption or reunification with family members, becomes viable. By opening the system to expatriates, the UAE is increasing the number of potential caregivers and, by extension, improving the likelihood that children can be placed in homes that meet their emotional, physical, and educational needs.
The law also incorporates a range of safeguards to ensure that foster care placements are conducted ethically and safely. Prospective foster parents undergo a rigorous application process, including background checks, home assessments, and interviews, all designed to verify their suitability and readiness to provide care. Once approved, foster families are subject to ongoing monitoring and follow-ups by the relevant authorities. Regular inspections and progress reports ensure that children are receiving appropriate care and that foster parents are meeting their responsibilities. These measures create a structured and accountable system, ensuring that both children and families are supported throughout the fostering process.
This expansion of eligibility is particularly significant in a country like the UAE, where expatriates make up a substantial portion of the population and have long-term commitments to their communities. Many expatriates have lived in the country for years, are integrated into local society, and have the stability, resources, and commitment required to provide a safe and supportive environment for children in need. By including them in the foster care system, the UAE is recognizing their potential to contribute to social welfare, while simultaneously addressing a pressing need for additional foster families.
In addition to expanding eligibility, the updated regulations are designed to align the UAE’s foster care system with international best practices. The law emphasizes child protection, accountability, and oversight, ensuring that every placement prioritizes the child’s well-being. These provisions are part of a broader effort by the UAE to strengthen social services, enhance family support mechanisms, and provide vulnerable children with opportunities to thrive in safe, nurturing, and stable environments. By creating a clear legal framework for foster care that includes expatriates, the government is also promoting inclusivity, social responsibility, and community participation in the care of children without parental support.
The benefits of the new regulations are multifaceted. For children, the expansion means a greater chance of being placed in homes that can meet their individual needs, both emotionally and developmentally. For families, it provides an opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of children who require care and attention. For society at large, it strengthens social cohesion, fosters a sense of shared responsibility, and enhances the overall welfare of the community. By formalizing the role of expatriates in foster care, the UAE is ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to the love, guidance, and stability they need to flourish.
Overall, the introduction of these new regulations marks a progressive milestone in the UAE’s child welfare policies. By allowing resident expatriates to apply for foster care, the government is not only increasing the number of qualified foster families but also creating a more inclusive and accountable system that prioritizes the well-being of children above all else. The updated law reflects the country’s commitment to modernizing its social services, embracing diversity, and ensuring that vulnerable children have access to safe, supportive, and nurturing homes.
The UAE’s decision also highlights the government’s recognition of the evolving needs of its population and the importance of engaging both citizens and long-term residents in social development initiatives. It reflects a forward-thinking approach to governance, one that balances inclusivity with rigorous standards of care and oversight. By enabling more families to participate in fostering, the country is not only addressing immediate child welfare needs but also investing in the long-term social and emotional development of its youngest residents.
In conclusion, the UAE’s new regulations for foster care represent a significant step toward providing every child with the opportunity to grow up in a caring, supportive environment. The inclusion of resident expatriates broadens the pool of potential caregivers, strengthens the foster care system, and reflects the country’s broader commitment to social responsibility, inclusivity, and child protection. This initiative underscores the UAE’s dedication to building a society in which every child, regardless of their background, can thrive and reach their full potential, supported by families who are equipped, committed, and legally empowered to provide care.
Eligibility Requirements for Families
According to the updated Article 6, a foster family must:
Be made up of a married couple living together in the UAE.
Ensure both partners hold valid UAE residency.
Have each spouse be at least 25 years old.
Have no history of offences related to honour or trust, even if those records were later cleared.
Be free from contagious illnesses or psychological conditions that could impact the child’s well-being.
Show that they are financially capable of caring for the child.
Comply with any additional rules set by the Ministry or the relevant local authority.
A single woman can be considered for fostering if she:
Lives in the UAE.
Is single, divorced, or widowed.
Is 30 years of age or older.
Has no criminal record related to honour or trust.
Is in good health, without infectious diseases or psychological issues that could impact the child.
Has sufficient financial resources to care for the child.
Meets any additional criteria set by federal authorities or local entities.
Commitments and Safeguards
Every individual or family applying to foster a child is required to provide a formal written undertaking confirming their commitment to creating a secure, nurturing and consistent living environment for the child. This pledge also serves as a guarantee that the foster parent or family will not attempt to alter, influence or interfere with any aspect of the child’s officially recognised identity, personal background, or religious beliefs. These protections are considered essential to preserving the child’s sense of belonging, continuity and emotional stability.
To ensure that foster families are meeting all obligations, specialised supervisory committees are authorised to carry out any assessment or verification measures they deem appropriate. Their oversight may include examining the child’s academic progress, school enrolment, emotional well-being, home setting and any other elements outlined by federal or local regulations. These committees have the responsibility to make sure the foster arrangement aligns with legal requirements and is genuinely in the child’s best interests.
In addition, local authorities have a duty to support national monitoring efforts. They must regularly supply the Ministry with the necessary information, records, reports and statistical data required for the proper enforcement of the decree and its implementing regulations. This cooperation ensures consistency, transparency and effective governance across all regions.
Withdrawal of Custody
The legal framework governing foster care provides clear guidance on circumstances that may lead to the removal of a child from a foster family or a single foster woman. Custody is not viewed as an unconditional or permanent entitlement; rather, it is a responsibility contingent upon the caregiver’s ongoing adherence to the standards, duties and ethical expectations set out by law. If at any point the caregiver ceases to meet the eligibility criteria originally required for approval—whether due to changes in personal status, residency, health, behaviour, financial stability or any other essential condition—the authorities have the power to reassess the placement and, if necessary, terminate the custodial arrangement. Likewise, if a foster family or woman breaches any of the obligations outlined in the legislation, such as failing to protect the child’s well-being, violating restrictions regarding the child’s identity or beliefs, or disregarding the oversight measures mandated by the state, this non-compliance can serve as grounds for withdrawal.
Decisions regarding the removal of custody are not made arbitrarily. They rely heavily on the findings and recommendations of qualified social researchers who are tasked with evaluating the environment in which the child is being raised. These professionals conduct interviews, home assessments and follow-up reviews in order to form a comprehensive understanding of the child’s situation. Their reports provide an objective basis for authorities to determine whether the foster arrangement continues to serve the child’s best interests. Once a decision for withdrawal has been issued, it is deemed final and binding. The decree explicitly states that such decisions cannot be appealed, contested or challenged through legal channels. This approach is designed to ensure swift action in situations where the child’s welfare may be at risk, preventing delays that could expose the child to further instability.
However, the law also recognises that not all violations are severe or harmful enough to justify immediate removal. In cases where shortcomings are considered minor or correctable, the relevant oversight committees are authorised to issue a structured improvement or corrective plan. This plan may outline specific behavioural changes, procedural adjustments, or documentation updates that the caregiver must complete within a defined timeframe. It may also require additional monitoring, counselling or periodic home visits to ensure progress. The goal of such corrective measures is to support the caregiver in restoring compliance and maintaining a safe, healthy environment for the child without disrupting the placement unnecessarily.
Nevertheless, this leniency is conditional. If the caregiver fails to comply with the corrective plan, does not complete the required steps within the stipulated period, or continues to violate regulations despite receiving guidance and warnings, the authorities are obligated to proceed with custody withdrawal. In such cases, the decree and its implementing regulations provide the legal foundation for terminating the foster arrangement. This structured, tiered approach ensures that the system remains both protective of children and fair to caregivers, balancing compassion with accountability to uphold the highest standards of child welfare.
